Boss: Feel ten feet tall

Manager Nigel Adkins again hailed the character and quality of his squad at what is a hugely exciting time in the season for Reading supporters.

With nine domestic Sky Bet Championship league games to go, the boss spoke of the importance of everybody getting behind the players ahead of tonight's game against Barnsley at Madejski Stadium.

"I want to be positive about everything and follow up a good start to the week with the three points we picked up at Birmingham," he said.

"The excitement has got to be there. We've got nine league games left to go and we're right in the mix. It's so exciting, we've got two home games and we all have an important role to play, because we all want the same thing. We've got to make the players feel ten feet tall.

"The pace that we have got in our team is phenomenal. We've got an unbelievable spirit too and everyone is contributing.

"It's a very exciting time in the season for everybody. It should be great for Reading supporters with nine league games and three play-off games to go."

After a crucial 2-1 victory away at Birmingham City, the Royals have two home fixtures in Barnsley and Huddersfield (Saturday) this week - and Adkins knows both will be challenging.

"The two goals we scored were very, very good - two excellent footballing goals given the way we created more.

"I think we've highlighted before, there's no easy game in the Championship. Barnsley are fighting for their lives. We know it's going to be challenging.

"There are no gimmies, but we're back at home with two games and we need everyone to get behind the players to drive them on, because that's so important now."